Shift Soldier. So much of life Is response and reaction Rather than decision Based on who I am And...

ShiftShift

SoldierSoldier

So much of lifeSo much of lifeIs response and reactionIs response and reaction

Rather than decisionRather than decisionBased on who I amBased on who I amAnd what I'm about And what I'm about

Causes, beliefsCauses, beliefsActions and wordsActions and words

Causes, beliefsCauses, beliefsActions and wordsActions and words

Cognitive DissonanceCognitive Dissonance

What is my life about?What is my life about?

What do I pursue What do I pursue As my primary goalAs my primary goalBased on time, attention, Based on time, attention, worry…?worry…?

What if what ought to be theWhat if what ought to be theMost important thing in my lifeMost important thing in my life

Is the thing I take for grantedIs the thing I take for grantedBecause it'll always be there?Because it'll always be there?

And instead of letting it And instead of letting it Direct the course of my lifeDirect the course of my life

I do what I wantI do what I wantAnd ask God to bless it?And ask God to bless it?

The single-minded The single-minded Pursuit of JesusPursuit of Jesus

Brings Strength and Brings Strength and Clarity to the Christian LifeClarity to the Christian Life

……the kingdom of heaven is like a the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all great value, went and sold all that he had and bought itthat he had and bought it- Jesus, Matt. 13- Jesus, Matt. 13

Last letter to a belovedLast letter to a belovedSon in The FaithSon in The Faith

- No - No spirit of fearspirit of fear- - Guard…entrusted to youGuard…entrusted to you

- I've been betrayed- I've been betrayed

You then, my child, be You then, my child, be strengthened strengthened by the grace by the grace that is that is

in Christ Jesusin Christ Jesus

- Psych myself up- Psych myself up- Act brave- Act brave- Believing…happens for a reason- Believing…happens for a reason

- by the - by the gracegrace that is in…Jesus that is in…Jesus

If grace is just forgivenessIf grace is just forgivenessI've missed what God has doneI've missed what God has done

And is doing in my lifeAnd is doing in my life

Grace isn't past…it's presentGrace isn't past…it's present

Grace is Presence and PowerGrace is Presence and Power

Grace brings Acceptance Grace brings Acceptance And EffortAnd Effort

……be be strengthenedstrengthened by the grace by the grace that is in Christ Jesusthat is in Christ Jesus

I find God's grace when I I find God's grace when I Stop seeking elsewhereStop seeking elsewhere

What only God can provideWhat only God can provide

The single-minded The single-minded Pursuit of JesusPursuit of Jesus

Brings Strength and Brings Strength and Clarity to the Christian LifeClarity to the Christian Life

……and what you have heard from and what you have heard from me in the presence of many me in the presence of many witnesses witnesses entrustentrust to faithful to faithful menmen who will be able to who will be able to teach others alsoteach others also

EntrustEntrust4 Levels Deep4 Levels DeepFaithful Faithful Able to pass it onAble to pass it on

Discipleship= Matt. 28Discipleship= Matt. 28

ShareShare in in sufferingsuffering as a good as a good soldier of Christ Jesussoldier of Christ Jesus

Single-minded focus Single-minded focus On serving the On serving the

Commanding Officer wellCommanding Officer well

Active suffering: beatingsActive suffering: beatingsPassive suffering: betrayalPassive suffering: betrayal

……do not be surprised do not be surprised at the fiery at the fiery trial when it comes upon you trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though to test you, as though something strange were something strange were happening to youhappening to you- 1 Peter 4- 1 Peter 4

Share in sufferingShare in sufferingas a good soldieras a good soldier of Christ Jesus of Christ Jesus

Purpose- for JesusPurpose- for JesusPower- to endurePower- to endure

We miss the Presence and We miss the Presence and Power of JesusPower of Jesus

When we curse our trials and When we curse our trials and Pursue a way outPursue a way out

Paul's trials:Paul's trials:At my first defense no one came At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but to stand by me, but all deserted all deserted me.me. May it not be charged May it not be charged against them! against them!

But the Lord But the Lord stood by me and stood by me and strengthened mestrengthened me- 2 Tim. 4- 2 Tim. 4

That's grace in actionThat's grace in action

But the Lord But the Lord stood by me and stood by me and strengthened mestrengthened me- 2 Tim. 4- 2 Tim. 4

The single-minded The single-minded Pursuit of JesusPursuit of Jesus

Brings Strength and Brings Strength and Clarity to the Christian LifeClarity to the Christian Life

Soldier, Athlete, FarmerSoldier, Athlete, Farmer

Pursue Jesus/his call exclusivelyPursue Jesus/his call exclusivelyThere are no shortcutsThere are no shortcutsIt will be hard workIt will be hard work

No soldier gets entangled in No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since civilian pursuits, since his aim is his aim is

to please the one to please the one who who enlisted himenlisted him

Goal of life: Glorify GodGoal of life: Glorify God

entangledentangled in civilian pursuits in civilian pursuits

- Great causes- Great causes- Human needs- Human needs- Culture wars- Culture wars- Political pursuits- Political pursuits

Civilian pursuits…Civilian pursuits…

On the cusp of great persecutionOn the cusp of great persecutionJews want freedomJews want freedom

Taxes are causing sufferingTaxes are causing sufferingAll good causesAll good causes

Please the one who enlisted himPlease the one who enlisted him

Glorify God:Glorify God:- Bear fruit- Bear fruit- Love God and people- Love God and people- Make disciples- Make disciples

Oh, it's a good thing?Oh, it's a good thing?

Does it help meDoes it help meGlorify God?Glorify God?

Can I glorify God in it?Can I glorify God in it?

I have brought you I have brought you gloryglory on earth on earth by finishing the work by finishing the work

you gave meyou gave me to do to do- John 17:4- John 17:4

Personal experiencePersonal experience- Responding and reacting -- Responding and reacting -

Brings causes and passionsBrings causes and passions

Personal experiencePersonal experienceBrings causes and passionsBrings causes and passions

Submit it to the LordSubmit it to the Lord

No soldier No soldier gets entangled gets entangled in in civilian pursuits, since civilian pursuits, since his aim is his aim is to please the one to please the one who who enlisted himenlisted him

Single-minded:Single-minded:

- What's your desire, Lord?- What's your desire, Lord?

I have to believe God is goodI have to believe God is goodAnd what he wants is greaterAnd what he wants is greater

Single-minded:Single-minded:

- Can I glorify Christ in it?- Can I glorify Christ in it?Am I currently? If not, whatAm I currently? If not, whatneeds to change? Will I?needs to change? Will I?

Single-minded:Single-minded:

Help me reach? Grow? DrawHelp me reach? Grow? DrawPeople to Jesus?People to Jesus?

- Is it part of discipleship?- Is it part of discipleship?

Single-minded:Single-minded:

We make a difference in thisWe make a difference in thisWorld because we care, ButWorld because we care, ButOur allegiance is to anotherOur allegiance is to another

- Which Kingdom?- Which Kingdom?

Anything that keeps me fromAnything that keeps me fromPursuing Jesus fullyPursuing Jesus fully

It outside God's will for meIt outside God's will for me

The single-minded The single-minded Pursuit of JesusPursuit of Jesus

Brings Strength and Brings Strength and ClarityClarity to the Christian Life to the Christian Life

Soldier, Athlete, FarmerSoldier, Athlete, Farmer

Pursue Jesus/his call exclusivelyPursue Jesus/his call exclusivelyThere are no shortcutsThere are no shortcutsIt will be hard workIt will be hard work

An athlete is not crowned unless An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according he competes according

to the rulesto the rules

Clarity and purposeClarity and purpose

"God wants me to "God wants me to Make a differenceMake a difference

So I'll make up some juicy detailsSo I'll make up some juicy detailsAbout my life before Jesus"About my life before Jesus"

I cannot go I cannot go Outside the will of GodOutside the will of God

To accomplish the To accomplish the Purpose of GodPurpose of God

And expect God's blessingsAnd expect God's blessings

Soldier, Athlete, FarmerSoldier, Athlete, Farmer

Pursue Jesus/his call exclusivelyPursue Jesus/his call exclusivelyThere are no shortcutsThere are no shortcutsIt will be hard workIt will be hard work

It is the hard-working farmer It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share who ought to have the first share

of the cropsof the crops

It won't be easy, but worth itIt won't be easy, but worth it

Think over what I say, for the Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding Lord will give you understanding in everythingin everything- 2 Tim. 2- 2 Tim. 2

The single-minded The single-minded Pursuit of JesusPursuit of Jesus

BringsBrings Strength and Strength and ClarityClarity to the Christian Life to the Christian Life

Single-minded pursuitSingle-minded pursuit

God will supernaturally enable God will supernaturally enable You to do what he's You to do what he's Called you to do:Called you to do: Strength Strength

Single-minded pursuitSingle-minded pursuit

God will give you the calling and God will give you the calling and Freedom to live a life that counts Freedom to live a life that counts

For something more than For something more than Just you: Just you: ClarityClarity

Don't tap out yetDon't tap out yetDon't sit down too soonDon't sit down too soonDon't pursue a good thingDon't pursue a good thing

To the neglect of a God thingTo the neglect of a God thing

What is my life about?What is my life about?

What do I pursue What do I pursue As my primary goalAs my primary goal

Based on time, attention, Based on time, attention, worry…?worry…?

What is the primary pursuitWhat is the primary pursuitOf my life?Of my life?

Pray about CausesPray about CausesPursuits, EntanglementsPursuits, Entanglements

What needs to be refined?What needs to be refined?What needs to be cut?What needs to be cut?

EntrustEntrust

……and what you have heard from and what you have heard from me in the presence of many me in the presence of many witnesses witnesses entrustentrust to faithful to faithful menmen who will be able to who will be able to teach others alsoteach others also

Layman exists to make disciplesLayman exists to make disciplesWho change their world Who change their world

For JesusFor Jesus

Because it's not about usBecause it's not about us

Does it fit the Mission?Does it fit the Mission?Word, Prayer Word, Prayer

Fellowship, WorshipFellowship, Worship

Q and AQ and A

9 AM9 AM

Plus…how many services?Plus…how many services?

Carowinds Youth TripCarowinds Youth Trip

Pray for Safety, UnityPray for Safety, UnityGod glorifiedGod glorified

Charlotte Bike TripCharlotte Bike Trip

Saturday, Sept. 20Saturday, Sept. 20

Guest CardsGuest Cards